Yard Sales : The Art Of The Deal

On my last Diva post, I gave a general introduction and invitation to the joys of yard sale shopping. Now that you're thinking about getting into the game, it would be good to know one of the major rules of engagement.
In the yard sale game, everyone is looking for a BETTER deal.

Even if an item already seems to you to be an absolute steal, it NEVER hurts to try to negotiate for a lower price. Sometimes, you will find sellers who are very firm and stubborn about their prices and say "No" to your efforts. But, more times than not, sellers, will say "Yes" to reductions. So, it never hurts to ask.
Always keep in mind: Sellers want to SELL!

Slight flaws or defects in any item that you are thinking of buying can give you leverage in negotiating for lower prices. If you point out a tear or clip in an item, to the seller, he or she is often more willing to discount that item. Of course, you don't want something that it irreparable and you definitely never want to buy junk. But, an item with some small imperfections can turn out be a tremendous bargain!

In any transaction be sure to ask the seller if they will take any less for an item , Sellers are very accustomed to hearing : " Will you take any less for this?" or "What is the lowest you are willing to go on this ?" So, don't be shy! You can even offer your own lower price suggestion and the seller will usually meet you somewhere in between.
Also, the more items that you buy, the more the seller is likely to go down on individual prices or give you a fantastic deal on the total purchase. If you are thinking about buying three dresses and the price is $5 on each dress. Ask if they will take $2 per dress. You will more than likely get the $2 a dress price that you offered or a slightly higher $3 counter price by the seller. Either way, you have come out ahead.


Furthermore, you can often get unbelievable deals near the end of the yardsaling day. Yard sales usually start winding down after the noon hour, with sellers eager to get rid of their wares and end the day without having to drag items back inside. If a seller was stubborn about the price of an item earlier in the day, and you were not willing to pay that price, it might be very beneficial to stop back by that sale later in the day. The seller will probably be more than happy to give you that lower price that you wanted. I have been to sales later in the day where the sellers were practically giving things away.
So, make your rounds ...and then, maybe backtrack a bit. You might hit the jackpot !
Now, you have a few cards in your hand to play in winning at the yardsale game.
I will definitely be back with more tips that might just be that ace up your sleeve in making that "big score".

Until then...Go Forth and Be Fabulous !
Be You ! Do You ! Shine !

Diva Tips for Yard Sales - Yard Sale Tips from Down South Diva on A Dime

I LOVE yardsales!
I would say that at least 50-60% of my ~DIVA on a Dime~ wardrobe comes from yard sales.
The rest , of course, comes from my favorite thrift shops.

There is definitely an art to yardsale shopping .
Many people are experts and have gotten it down to a science.
Let me tell you, some people take their "yardsaling" very seriously !.

For me ,it is just fun, fun, fun...and super exciting !!!
You NEVER know what you might run across at a yard sale !

I have been a yardsale shopper for many years.

At first, I usually only bought household furnishings, decorations and accessories.

I never really even THOUGHT about buying clothing , until I started asking a friend of mine at church where she was getting all of these fabulous dresses she was wearing,

She almost never wore the same thing twice . Every time that I would ask, she would say that she had gotten it "at the yardsale . When she told be the prices ...$3, $5...never more than $10., I almost fell out !!! I couldn't believe it !

At that time, I was one of those crazy , maniac shopping, like many of you are. (LOL)

I thought nothing of paying $80, $90 or $100 for a blouse or skirt that I wanted.

When I look back on it now, I just shake my head.

Now, I let someone ELSE pay $100 for a blouse or skirt ...and I get it at the yardsale for $1 , $2 or no more than $5. It is VERY rare for me to pay more than $5 for any dress, blouse or skirt. I did pay $10, several years ago, for a fabulous beaded evening gown that I still wear and love . Even the gown that I wore when I participated in the Mrs. Mississippi pageant last year only cost $5. I got it at a yardsale in Saltillo.

I want to tell everyone out there that it would be well worth your time and effort if you would give yardsale shopping a try !

Here are a few YARD SALE TIPS to get you started..............

YARD SALE TIPS:


1. Yard sales usually start around 6:00am (sometimes earlier). So be prepared to be UP, DRESSED and OUT OF THE HOUSE before 6:00am.The early bird really does get the worm, in this case. You will get the pick of the litter, when you are one of the first ones to arrive. .


2. Scout out the locations where you plan to go. Many yard sales are listed in the newspaper on Friday and Saturday . But, these are not all of the sales that are out there, by any means. There are too many to count. You cannot possibly make it to all of the sales ,so, decide on some of the locations that you want to try from the descriptions in the paper or decide on a certain part of town. Over time, you will start to discover where you find your favorite things and where the best sales are for the things that you like.

My husband goes all over Tupelo because he loves to drive. My favorite area, and where I purchase most of my Diva Finds, is in North Tupelo (Barnes Crossing Mall area, Northridge Subdivision) and Saltillo.


3. Take lots of small bills ($1 and $5) and lots of change. It is much easier to make your purchases when you have the exact amount. You can get in and out with no hassle.

Also, you really don't want to take all of the sellers change because they need it for the day. They will appreciate your small bills.


4. As soon as you approach a yard sale, give the whole yard sale a once over glance to see if there is anything that catches your eye. If you start in one area and just focus on it, thinking that you have time to leisurely browse, you might miss something that you really wanted. . You will be amazed at how many shoppers are at the sales . 
Everyone is out to get that great find ,try not to let them get to it before you do! (smile) 5. Have Fun !

You will meet some great people while yard sale shopping and even learn a lot of things!

It's amazing the things you can learn at a yard sale. You might get to know some of your neighbors that you didn't know before. You can find out where some of the best sales are that day. You can even find out about future sales and other activities going on it the city. Any way that you slice it, Yardsaling ROCKS !!!!

~ YARDSALING ~

Yardsaling is a southern art,
And to some it's a way of life;
It's a way of getting almost anything,
Without the stress and strife.
You meet all kinds of people,
And you see how others live;
And while the kids sell lemonade,
You negotiate what you'll give.
There's always a faithful crew ,
That gets up before the dawn;
To see what treasures they might find,
On some neighbor's lawn.
There's much anticipation ,
Of the next bargain 'round the bend;
And everyone knows in yardsaling,
The possibilities never end.
There's always something
You've been searching for,
Suddenly , staring you in the face;
And when your eyes lock on to it ,
Your heart begins to race.
There's nothing like the yard sale game,
Or should I say, the sport;
It quite easily becomes an addiction,
If you're of that sort.

2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A life in Poems

 

I think these few tips will get you started on your new adventure in the Yard Sale Game !

I will be back, of course with more tips and advice on thrifty shopping.

Until then...Go Forth and Be Fabulous! Be You ! Do You ! SHINE!!!

~DIVA on a Dime~ Yardsale FINDS

 

PS...... HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY !